Prepayment-meter.



PATENTED JULY 24, 1906. J. JJWOOD. PREPAYMENT METER. APPLICATION FILED MAY25.1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

v INVENTORI WITNE 'a 42% ssEsa W PATENTED JULY 24, 1906.

'J; J. WOOD. PREPAYMENT METER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET '2.

.INVENTOR:

B Affome s, 4 n r ('S WITNESSES: 24 2,

- my application,

. the same scale-as Fig. 3v

UNITED STATES PATENT o'rrion'.

' inas J. woonidr FORT WAYNE. INDIANA.

PREIPAYMENT-METER- Specification of Letters Patent.

Batented July 24, 1906.

To all whom it may concern/r Be it known that 1., JAMES J. Wool), a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Prepayment-Meters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to meters for measuring electricity, gas, &c., of the kind known eration of the meter counts off or diminishes the repayment credit at a rate proportional to t e price char ed for the commodity. In

' erial No. 235,412, filed December 3, 1904, patented December 5, 1905, No. 806,722, is set forth such a prepaymentmeter.

The present invention provides certain improvements applicable especially to the meter, set forth in my said patent andalso ada table in other connections.

The present improvements relate to an adiustableor variable connection between the prepayment mechanism and the totalizing mechanism of the meter.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front elevation of the interior mechanism, the front plate of the casing being removed and the mechanism more or less-dissected to bettershow its several parts. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, showingsome of the'parts in plan. Fig. 3 shows inside elevation, partly in vertical section, the counting-down part of the prepaymentmechanism comprising the escapement and connected parts viewed from the right in Figs. 1 and -2,.the view being on a larger scale. Fi 4 is a dissected sectional front elevation o the same mechanism. Fig. 5 is'a fragmentary section thereof on the line 5 5 in Fig. 4 Fig. 6 is an oblique section on the line 6 Sin Fig. 4. .Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are on Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are cross-sections through the coin admission j and discharging slots on the line 7 7 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a sectional side view of the coin-,

dnvin part or. barrel.

, wi l first designate those parts which are -id entical, or substantially so, with-those in my'said patent andiorcpnvenience of reference will the same reference letters or umbers.

A designates the meter as a whole-for example, any ordinary electric meter to wh ch the prepayment mechanism is applied-and B any usual or suitable casing therefor. This casing1 has an upward extension B for inclosing t e prepayment mechanism. The

only working part of the meter which is shownin Fig. 1 is the totalizer A.

The prepayment mechanism within the upper casing B comprises a movable part, which I'call a "credit-indicator, C being a rotative disk or cylinder carryin numbers displayed through an opening in the front of the casing and inclosing an involutespring D, the inner end of which is fixed to a pin (1 on a stationary sleeve d, while the outer end of the spring is connected to the indicatordisk by hooking it over a lug (ii-Fig. 1. In the recise construction shown the indicator isk or barrel has a back plate C, which on a pivotal stud e carries a planet-wheel E,-

which Wheel meshes with a central pinion F and with a large outer internal gear G. The pinion F is formed on the end of a shaft H, Fig. 2, which turns within the fixed sleeve (1 and forms the coin-driven part of the mechanism, its front part being slotted through at H and this slotted part entering freely within a barrel-shaped coin-driving part 1, (shown separately in Fig. 10,) having a neck or journal I, on which is fixed an operating handle or knob J, rojec'ting at the front, where it may be easi y turned.

()n drop ing a coin through a coin-admission slot Fig. 7, and turning the knob backward as far as it will go, so as to bring the slot I through the barrel I into coincidence therewith, the coin falls throu h both slots and into the slot H in'the shaft H. A coin too small'to o crate the parts is shown in this position in l ig. 7. proper size-namely, that indicated by the dotted line a: in Fig. 10its upper edgewill rest in this coin-slot I, and it will lock together the coin-actuatin barrel 1 and the If the coin be of the conducts it to a suitable coin-receptacle.

The turning of the pinion F a half-revolution designed a I ed-on by a spindle ofa gear 0,

turns the planet-wheel E throu h the corresponding number of teeth, anf the gear G being held stationary the planet-wheel rolls around Within thisgear and communicates a movement to the indicator-barrel sufiicient to displace it-from one figure to the next, so that the inserted coin is counted up or indicated to the credit of the consumer. first movement from the zero osition (shown in Fig. l) a device is operatedh or'turning on the commodity to be supplied-in an electric meter for closing'the circuit. As shown, a cam-notch G acts on a roller on an arm 'R', connected to an arm R to dis lace these arms and actuatethe switch, the atter being indicated by the letter 'T in F ig. 2. At the final movement responding. to the utmost number of coins for which the-instrument is stop device is introduced to pre vent the-insertion of any more coins. For an understandingof these features reference is made to my, said patent.

As the electric current or other commodity is consumed the operation of the meter-causes the prepayment mechanism at intervals to execute a counting-down movement bywhich the indicator 0 turns in the tion and counts downor diminishes the indicatedcredit. During this operation the inion F remains stationary, and the s ring serves as the actuatingrspringofa--cl ock work which'is restrained by an escapement, the-latter be gcontrolled by thetotalizer of the meter. In the construction s'hOwn -the internal gear G- isrovided with external teeth 7c, meshing wit a-pinion Z, fixed on the which in turnis geared to a' inion 0 on: the spindle of an escape whee 0 carrying an escape tooth-or This tooth is normally held by theooked end of a releasingarm P. other arm Phas at-its upper enda stopvpallet andis curved at p to form,a-cani-surfiace-tobeactcam-pin e on the wheel 0 This is essentially. the same three-motion-eseapement as shown-in Figs, 16 to 21 of myformer application. actuatingrarm P, which works-an eccentric dle Q, which is geared to l; having. a pinion T, which mesh es with a 1 gear r, Fig.1, on the units-arbor of the totalizer.

' As the current isconsumed the meter drives its totali'zer, which rotates the s indle-Qinany predetermined ratio, accor ing to the rice fixed for-the ci'u'rent. 0- eachrevoution of this spindle the eccentric vibrates back and forth. This vicommunicated to the releasing awsits hooked-upper end from ,brationbein arm P with the escapetooth m, so-that the latter escapesand being driven by the springD- makes asb many turnsas correspond to onerotation ot the wheel 0. During; the last turn of-ths escape-wheel the pin e-- onthe wheel strikes At the 'movements of the freel contrary direc-' in-ml.

Connected to the ar-InP is an having a for-ked end ine -totali zer-train 1 the projection 2 and'throws the stop-arm P over to the rig t in F lg. 4, so that its bentover end comes into the path'of the toothm and sto s it. During this time the pinion Z has ma e one revolution and the indicator 0 has moved one space back toward zero, thereby counting down one number. To too rapid motion, the escape-whee O is eared by a pinion 0 to a fly 0 The next half-revolution of the eccentric g restores the arm P, which pushesaside the stop-arm P, andthe parts are restored to their normal position as shown-in Figh l, To prevent false -hung-. arm P-*, a spring p 'is provided havin bonds which en'- ga ea pin p in'either positwn-ofthe-arm.

he com-after doingits work falls through a conduit L into a;coin-rec'eptacle or moneybox, as shown-in mysaidatent.-

As thus far described-t e-mechanism does not differ from that set forth in my said patentand -has-been described heremonly to make clear the structure to which the im provementsconstituting my present invention are a plied. It is to be understood,- however; t at my present improvements are not neeessari ly used solely in connection'with the mechanism thus fardescribed. I will now proceedto describe my present improvements.

In one construction shown in-my said patent the escapement-train and stop-arms are supported from-upward extensions of the-tota izer-plates. In another the escapementtrain has itsown-support, While its lever and eccentric have bearings in v thetotaliz'ep' framc'i- Either arran ement involvesa s ecial, construction of tie-totalizer. It is" esirable to make the prepayment mechanism as far 'aspossible-- distinct from theelectric meter proper andapplicable to various constructions ofmeters with the minimum of change in the latter. According to my, pres ent inventiony therefore, I support the escape ment-train and lever andeecentrio-spindlein a fr'aine which is hung from'the upper-"section B" of the casing, sothat by separatingthis portion ofthe pasing pm the meter-casing proper; the enti-repre aymentmechanism may be separatedan r from the meter Accordingly I- provide a frame 50-,Whichsupports the entire-escape removed integrally;

revent ment mechanism and whichis itself support v ed by theupper part B ofthe casing The frame 50 may conveniently bc'madeofiront and back plates united by posts in anywellown-manner, as is clearly. shown, and may be supported by any suitable attachment to the casing'B, as by formingthe latter with arms or lugs 51 52, (indicatedin-dotted linesiii-Fig.1) to which the frame50 isf'estened screws from the back; Thebaok plat/e 53- o the frame 50-isshown-ns afiat plateywhile the front plate 54 is part] bent back to-camv: it behind the Wheel G.

The frame 50 is shaped to rovide bearing for the spindles of Q in bearings other commodity metered may 'be-varied b mesh wit such diflerent gear.

ing the ori and the arm P into proper relation with the pin m The hub 56 is preferably slitted, as shown in dotted lines in elastic and make a good frictional. connec- .whereby friction is reduced to the minimum, this being irame '1 construct, preferably, as a swingthe severe gears and inions of the train in frame turning around the same center or port for the esoapementlever-that is, for the arms-P 1 P.' This spindle has the arm I fixedly united to it by being forced tightly thereon against a collar. It has the arm I fastened. upon it frictionally by means of a hub 56, fixed rigidly to the arm and made to embrace the spindle with a firm fit, but not so tightly as to prevent'a forcible relative movement between the arms P and P durinal assembling and adjustment of the mec anism in order to bring the arm P intoproper relation with the eccentricfq fixed to the front plate 54, Fig. 3, so that it forms a rearward boss over which fits an an nular or pivotal portion of the frame 60. This frame has an arc-shaped extension 61, preferably slotted, which projectsu wardly and is engaged by a set-sc'rew-GZ an n" t 63 the latter being prolonged on one side an notched to engage a fixed stud 64, by which it is held against turning. Thus by adjusting the screw 62 the swing-frame may be clamped at an liei ht. The swing-frame'SO is formed with a orked portion which affords bearings for the opposite ends of the spindle Q, this forked portion being formed by bending a part rearwardlj; anddown- 'wardly, as shown. To make t e spindle Q easily removable in order that it may be substituted'by another one having a pinion 0" of a different number of teeth for changin the price rate, the bearing forthe rear end 0 the spindle Q is made as a removable screwbushing'fio. By unscrewing this bearing the spindle Q may be displaced rearwardly, so as to free its front journal, so that it may be re moved. By the cooperation ofthe swingframe 60 with the frictional engagement between the arms P and P a readjustment may be very easily and quickly made, it being only necessary tt'a loosen the screw 62, set the frame 60 to the right position to bring the pinion 1' correctly into meshwith its gear, and then with, the eccentric q in the position shown to move'the arm P into proper en agernent with its escape-tooth m.

Fig. 3, to render it tion. The arm 54 turns loosely and freely on thespindle 55, its hubbeingmade afreefit therewith. By this construction when the totalizer through the eccentric g and arm P rocks the releasing-arm P the spindle 55 turns or oscillates on its reduced pivotal ends,

desirable because the power which can be exerted through the totalizer is very, slight. When, however, the stop-arm P is moved by the cam-pin e, thepower is ample, being derived from the sprin ,D, and the greater friction of the hub of t is arm turn mg upon the largerbearing against the exte rior of the spind e 55 is not objectionable.

Instead of mounting the eccentric-s indle between the plates of t e to' talizer as formerly I now support this spindle in a separate bearing-frame 60, which is so hung to the frame 50 as tobe adjustable in order that the spindle Q may be moved to different positions. Thisadjustment of the position of the spindle (.%is desirable in order that the rate c arged or the electricity or changing the ratio of the pinion r and gear 1 Thus by changing the gear 1* for a largebor smaller one without altering the pinion r it is) necessary to locate the spindle Q at a higher or lower oint to make the pinion properly The same is usually true if it becomes necessary also to substitute a lar er or smaller-pinion r. The adjustment of t e spindle Q is also desirable in order that the pre ayment mechanism may be readily adapted to different electric meters without other change in the latter totalizing-train of a igp. 7 to 10 illustrate means for prevent ing t e operation of the prepayment mechanism by the insertion of a smaller coin than that prescribed, such coin not being engaged by the coin-slot t as the barrel I is turned, so that it is dischaiged without having turned the driven part This construction is not claimed herein, having been made the sub- "ect of a divisional a plication filed Septemer 15, 1905, Serial 0. 278,536.

Myl invention may be "variously modified by t e substitution of equivalents and vawill be understood by those skilled in the art, and certain features thereof may be omitted without necessarily impairing the operation of the features retained.

What I claim is 1. ..In a repayment-meter, the combinae meter mechanism having a tothan the addition tothe tion with, suitably-proportioned gear-wheel 1". In diftalizer, ofian escapement mechanism operferent makes of electric meters the totalizer ated directly by said totalizer, a frame for tions are easily compensated for by adjustsaid escapement mechanism inde endent of the total zer-frame, and a casing, separable from the" meter-casing and supporting. said escapement-frame, w ereby the removal of is mounted higher or lower, and these varia-f ing the spindle Q to different elevations by means oi the adjustable/frame 60. This the usuai manner. ts lower (part forms axis as the spindle 5t) and with nieans'for beatings for the front and rear en s of a spinclamping it in any position after ad ustment. die 55, Fig. 3, which forms the pivotal sup- .In the construction shown a bushing 57 is nations of mechanical construction, such as down mechanism & senate said separable casing separates the escape- 9. In a prepayment-meter, the combine ment mechanism from the totah-zer. tron With an escapement comprising an 5- 2. In a repayment-meter, the combination with t e meter mechanism having a totalizer, and the meter-casing, of a co'untin down mechanism operated from: saidtotsfi izer, a casing B therefor, separable from the meter-casing, and a frame 50 fastened to said separable casing and supporting said counting-down mechanism, whereby the removal of said casing B separates the countingfrom its engagement with the total-izer.

3. In a prepayment-meter having a total* izer and an escapement counting-down mechanism, an eccentric and escapement arm through which said mechanism is controlled by the totalizer, the combination therewith of a frame for said mechanism distinct from the totalizer-frame and formed with bearings for the spindle of'said eccentric, whereby said spindle is hung from the esca ement-frame.

4. In a prepayment mete r a totalizer and an escapement counting-down mechanism, an eccentric and escapement arm of a frame'for said mechanism, and an adjustable frame forming bearings for the spindle of said eccentric, whereby said spindle may be adjusted relatively to the totalizer.

5. In a prepayment-meter having a totalizer and an escapernent counting-down mechanism, aneccentric and escapement arm through which said mechanism is controlled by the totalizer, the combination therewith of a frame for saidmeehaniism, and an adjustable frame forming beariiw for the spindle of said eccentric, r m the escapementframe and adapted to around its pivotal engagement 6.v In a repaymcnt-metercom rising a totalizeran anesca ement control edthereby, the combination t erewith ofaframefor said cscapement, a swing-frame hung therefrom an eccentricspindlehaving hearings in sai swing-frame and adjustable thereby relatively to the totalimer, and fastening means for said swing frame. I

7. In a prepayment-meter having a totalizer and a counting-down mechanism controlled thcreby, the-combinationtherewith of a frame for said mechanism, and an acljustableframe fastened thereto forming bearings for the spindle of said mechanism which engages the totalizcr mechanism, 'evhcreby the position of said spindle may be adjusted.

In a prepayment meter, the combination with an escapement comprising an escapemen-t-arm, of a" frame for said escapemenJ-t forming a. ivotalsupport for said arm, a s frame thereto concentrically with said pivotal support, and the spindle controlling esca mment hung in said swing-framing.

ca ement-arm, of an ab y connected thereto,-an escapementirame forming a pivotal support for said arms, a swing-frame hung therefrom concentrically with said pivotal support, a spindle fer operating said actuating-arm having been ings in said svszing frame.

10'. In a prepaymentmeter comprising an escapemenfi an eccentric operating it, an adeccentric, and an adjustable for said spindle whereby the spindle may be readily removed and replaced.

11. In a prepayment-meter, aneseapement mechanism and its 5 9, a swing-frame 60 hung thereto, an eccentric-spindle Q car- 66 therefor.

12. In a prepayment-meter having anes capement mecanisrn, its suppcrtingframe 50, a swi -frame 60 hung thereto having an arc-shape portion 61 and a clamping-screw enga ing said arc-shaped portion: ilor fastent e. swing-frame.

13 In a pre ayment-meter having an escapenlent meclianism, its supporting-frame 50,, a swim -frame 60 hung thereto having an arc-shape portion 61, and clamping means for'fasetning it in lace compris' a screw 62 engaging a threa ed'. piece 63 Wit means for restraining the latter from turning.

14. In a pre ayment-meterhaving an escapement rnec anism, its supporting-frame 50, a swing-frame 60* hung thereto, a bushing 5.7 forming a boss on which said swingframe is hung, and-a spindle- 55 having one of its hearings in said bushing.

1 5.- In a prepayment-meter having an escapement comprising a releasing-arm, a stooarm and an actuating-arm, a frame 50: for

said mechanism, a spindle 55 having reduced I endjournals turning inhearings in saidframe,

I with the actuating and releasing arms tightly applied on said spindle, sothat normally these arms and the spindle turn together, and the stop-arm mounted to turn loosely on said spindle.

16. In a prepayment-meter havmg an es capernent comprising a releasin -arm,' a stoparin and an ac-tuatiaig arm, a frame 50' for said mechanism, a spindle 55 having reduced and journals turning in bearings in said frame with the releasing-arm tightly applied onsaid spindle,and the actuating-arm engaged there with by a frictional connection so as to normally turn therewith, and a stop-arm mounted loosely on said spindle.

17. In a prepayment-meter having an escapement mechanism controlled by the total i-zer'through an eccentric operatmg an escapement-arm, the combination therewith o a frame for said eseapement mechanism,. a

swing-frame carrynig the spindle of said 60- actuatin -arm adj ustjustable frame carrying the spindle of said riedby said frame, and an adjustable bearing centric and adi'ustable to bring said spindle into Varying re ations with the totalizer, and an actuating-arm hung concentrically with said swing-frame, engaging said eccentric, and having a frictional connection with the escapelnent-arm, whereby it may swing With the swing-frame during such adjustments.

Witnesses. I JAMES J. WOOD.

Witnesses A. A. SERNA, P. Q. MORGANTHALER. 

